3 DIY Cleaning & Disinfecting Tips for Coronavirus COVID-19 & Flu Season
Pettyjohn’s has compiled a helpful list for DIY cleaning and disinfecting tips to keep in mind while you are sheltering in place!
We know so many of our clients are very capable of following instructions and we applaud everyone who is taking the extra effort to clean and disinfect their home or workplace. Of course, this list is not comprehensive, and we always encourage you to follow the recommendations of the CDC. Please use common sense while using strong disinfectants.
1. Not all disinfectants are created equally!
If you read the label on many common disinfectants, there appears to be conflicting information! For instance, doesn’t it say 15 seconds on the front of the bottle? Yes… but what does the back of the label say? One popular disinfectant actually says, in the notoriously tiny print, that 10 minutes of contact time is required to inactivate a virus. Ten minutes! No surface can easily remain wet for ten minutes after a little swipe.
So, as you prepare to clean and maintain your home, keep little pieces of information like this in the back of your mind! When selecting a disinfectant, be sure to consult the EPA’s N List.
2. Establish a cleaning routine.
The most effective way to disinfect your home begins with a proper cleaning protocol. Regularly cleaning high touch areas like doorknobs, faucet handles, and stair railings are important! Removing the organic load before you apply a disinfectant will ensure your efforts are most efficient.
But let’s take a step back for just a moment. Proper cleaning is more than just wiping surfaces. It is the culmination of every effort you make to create a healthy home! This looks like regularly changing air filters, vacuuming, and sweeping floors, dusting fan blades, and wiping cabinet faces.
3. Work in sections
DIY cleaning and disinfecting is a daunting task. Here is one approach you can take to break cleaning into easy-to-manage sections:
Vertical Surfaces
Walls, cabinets, doors, and all corresponding touch points should be disinfected frequently. Wipe these surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. Check surfaces for “wipability” in an inconspicuous area first!
Horizontal Surfaces
Horizontal surfaces include the top of ceiling fans, top of dressers/cabinets/shelving units, baseboards, and lastly: carpet/rugs/floors. Dusting and cleaning these surfaces from top to bottom will prevent new dust from landing on a clean surface.
Upholstery
Regular vacuuming of upholstered items can help to maintain appearance AND reduce the amount of allergens hiding in the fabric. After vacuuming, damp wiping with a microfiber cloth can help grab stubborn pet hairs!
A Clean Home is a Healthy Home. Our DIY Cleaning and Disinfecting Tips Can Help.
Maintaining a clean and healthy home is a lot easier once you’ve got a solid baseline. If DIY cleaning and disinfecting seems like too big a task to take on yourself, Pettyjohn’s has teamed up with local expert housecleaners to offer this cleaning service prior to our professional disinfection services. Call today for a quote!